Mystery Quilt Nightmare

Sadly, I have decided that Mystery Quilts are just not for me.

This cutting of 200 two-inch squares is for the birds.

I feel like I am doing the same exact thing over and over and over and over.

This pattern calls for about 96 - 1 1/2 in half square triangles, and about 100 rectangles with 2 inch squares sewn to both sides.

It's killing me!

I am determined to finish this quilt top this month!! It has, sadly, been my goal for my UFO challenge for the last 3 months. 3 MONTHS! It's like the weird family member that just keeps coming over, in my face. Geez.

This quilt just might get donated or gifted just so I won't have to look at it anymore, for my own sanity's sake.... 

On a good note, I have been using my Featherweight for the piecing. It almost hums when it's sewing. I love it, it's almost endearing. That thing is like a tank too, pretty sturdy stuff. (sorry for the phone picture)

Do you have a Featherweight? What do you love about it? Any books you would recommend I get?

Mini-Tent Success

There have been just a few small sewing projects that I've started and actually completed in the last month. Oh it feels great!!

My little nephew's quilt & bib, a new boxie (that I love), and this mini-tent have all been great distractions to quilting my big projects lately. Is it just me (having 5 kids home) or is it more difficult to have the gumption to quilt in the summer?

I found the pattern while schmoozing Pinterest, well I find a lot that way, but this was a project I just knew I had to make! Feel free to follow me, I pins tons of stuff (I think I have about 77 boards now... uhh yea).

The lovely Kerry at Kid Giddy shared this pattern for the Mini-Tent. So, go check it out and make some! The pattern was super easy, and lots of pictures!

This one was given to a family friend, and both of my older boys asked me at least 3 times if I was making it for them. I'm thinking I already have some Christmas presents figured out! (score!)

The only thing I did differently was that I did not cover the faucet connector with duct tape, I just used nail polish remover to get the ink off, then washed it like 5 times so it wouldn't smell. I liked the look of it without the tape.

And just incase you were wondering, a Build A Bear does fit inside. (not pictured)

'A Hero is Born'

One of my little brothers is having his first son! AHHH, so exciting!!

I LOVE BABIES!!

Naturally, he would just need a quilt from yours truly *huge grin*.

Thus, 'A Hero is Born' was made!

I liked the block design of the pattern 'At the Crossroads' in April 2010 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, so I just changed up the sashing and border a bit. I've never made a quilt from a magazine before, but it was pretty fun.

This is summer guys, there is not much designing going on in these parts with quilting, so I was relying on a good, easy, and quick pattern. This one came through for sure!

Here's the back.

I actually bought the print fabric like 4 years ago because it just screamed to me that I needed to make something for this brother out of it (it has fire trucks, helicopters, ambulances, and police cars).

You see, he is a volunteer fire fighter & EMT and I am a very proud big sister! He just so happened to get mixed up with another crazy fire fighter & EMT and fell in love!! (Again, so proud)

Since they are both All-American Heroes in my eyes, I am just going on a hunch here that yet another hero will be born.

His name is Mason. *huge grin, with tears*

Of course, he needed a matching bib!

Through this experience I realized that I LOVE making baby quilts for people!!!

10th Anniversary National Conference 2013

So, in my spare time I sell Thirty One products. Yes, I love them and I love what I do.

With that being said, I went to my first National Conference and it just so happened to be Thirty One's 10th Anniversary!! SO FUN!

My husband and I decided to fly out a day early to do some tourist-y stuff. It was the first time my husband and I flew anywhere together (in 8 years...). Apparently we're more home bodies than I thought.

There were so many people at conference... a little overwhelming at times. Can you find my husband??

We went to The World of Coca-Cola. My husband loves soda, and well I'm all about some Cherry Coke, so this was up our alley.

This place was very cool, lots and lots of eye candy!!

We also tried tons of different kinds of soda. The best one I tried was from Japan and had carrots in the photo, and the worst was one called 'Beverly' from Italy (SO GROSS).

I was soda-d out after trying so many flavors!

I also finished another preemie blanket my first day there. Nothing better than finishing a knitting project on vacation! There will be a pattern coming soon, it was super easy. Notice how it looks like another quilt block (similar to my 4 Square Preemie Knitted Blanket)? The thought has crossed my mind to do a whole bunch of 18inch knitted blocks that look like traditional quilt blocks. What do you think?

(Back to conference)

One of the best parts about conference was meeting some of the ladies I met while I was there!! New friends are the best!

Did you know that in Atlanta the fire hydrants are silver?? Yea, that's right, Silver!

We got back home this past Sunday, and all week we've been busy! I love summer and all the fun things I get to do with my family.

Just two nights ago my baby boy and I went out picking green beans, which was fantastic on it's own, but as I was handing them to him to put in the bowl he said 'thank you' just about every time. It was such an awesome experience!

Wow, sorry that was such a rambled up jumble of things, but that's kinda how this summer feels! I do have a few projects to share, and some goal setting to do, so hopefully there will be a little more time for blogging this week.

Happy trails!